Margarita Cupcakes

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Whenever we have people over I like to show off my baking skills.  This usually means that I go a little over the top with my dessert trays.  Whether I make multiple types of cookies or have a cupcake tower or just fill a plate with my treats I always make more than one thing. 

So when we had another couple and their toddler over for a dinner party I wanted to make some fancy cupcakes.   After all, none of us get out too much so I wanted to make dessert special.  I started thinking about different cupcake recipes and ended up making one alcoholic and one nonalcoholic so the kids could enjoy them.

For my alcoholic cupcake I decided on a Margarita Cupcake.  I used a vanilla cupcake base and then embellished that.  Instead of using milk as my liquid I used a combination of lime juice, orange juice, and tequila to make it taste like a margarita.  It totally worked.

When it was time to make the frosting I did the same thing using the fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, and tequila.  I then used just a dot of green food coloring to give it that light green color.  I sprinkled sanding sugar on top because it reminded me of salt which I thought was a fun topping.

Then because I have to be extra sometimes, I added a shot of margarita in a pipette on top.  You can buy these on Amazon for a few dollars like the ones here. You simply fill them then place them in the cupcakes.   In my case I told my guests they could squeeze the liquid into the cupcake or take it as a shot before eating the cake.  I prefer taking it as a shot first.

I know a lot of people use straight liquor when putting a shot in a cupcake but we are parents and our kids were around and I just wasn’t feeling it so mixing up an actual mini margarita was perfect.  I used the lime juice, orange juice, tequila, and simple syrup to make mini margarita shots and they were fabulous.  You can do either one and I’m sure it will be just as awesome.

The cupcakes were on the firm side but they had a lot of the lime and orange flavor.  The frosting totally tasted like a margarita and it was fun to take the shot before biting into the dessert.  I really enjoyed them and think these would be great for parties or even a summer BBQ.

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Margarita Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Margarita lime flavored cupcakes topped with a fresh margarita buttercream with a margarita shot stuck on top!

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Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 c. butter, softened
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tablespoon good quality pure vanilla extract
• 4 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 4 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 Tablespoons tequila

For the frosting:

• 1 c. butter, softened
• 4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon orange juice
• 1 Tablespoon tequila
• 1 Tablespoon good quality pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 c. sanding sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another large bowl cream together the butter and sugar.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition, until combined.
5. Mix in the vanilla.
6. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
7. In a small bowl combine the lime juice, orange juice, and tequila. Add the mixture to the flour and butter mixture and stir until well combined.
8. Add in the remaining flour and mix until just blended.
9. Fill each of the muffin cups 2/3 of the way full.
10. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the muffin tins and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Meanwhile beat the butter in a large bowl on medium high speed until smooth.
13. Add the powdered sugar a half cup at a time, beating after each addition, until a fluffy frosting forms.
14. Add in the lime juice, orange juice, tequila, and vanilla and beat on high speed for 2 minutes.
15. Place frosting in a piping bag and pipe onto the cupcakes.
16. Sprinkle with sanding sugar. If desired garnish with a small lime wedge and a pipette of margarita or tequila.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe

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